Focus on the chain: transport

Responsible transport is a key concern for the VanDrie Group. Calves must be handled with due care and attention during transit, and not just at the veal farms.

The VanDrie Group believes that in order to transport calves in a responsible manner, it is necessary to take into account the quality of the vehicles, the experience of the driver and the health of the animals. Calves may only be transported once they are at least 14 days old. Calves from abroad must have been declared healthy by a veterinarian before they are transported.

In most cases, Comfort Class trucks are used for this. These trucks comply with all specific statutory requirements. Accordingly, the trucks are lit on the inside, they have extra suspension and they are fully sealed to prevent any draughts from outside. Temperature conditions inside the trucks can be tailored to the calves at all times. What’s more, the calves are able to drink during transportation.

Transporters are expected to handle the calves during transit with due care and attention.

Gerrit Goud has the following to say about his job as livestock transporter at transport company E. van Slot & ZN: “After I got my HGV license, I immediately began transporting young calves. That was about ten years ago now. I’m on the road every day. The thing I like about my work is the variety: driving the truck and the contact I have with the people and the animals. When loading and unloading, calm is the 'magic word'. We accompany the calves into the truck and make sure that there’s a thick layer of straw on the ground, so that the calves can stand or lie down calmly. Even when I drive, I always take the calves into account: accelerating and braking carefully and taking bends slowly.”